Talking 'A Party In Your Name' with Nima and Dexter of Hillsboro

There are records that you feel in your gut and A Party In Your Name by Hillsboro is one of them. Each of the Vancouver-based quintet’s releases can be connected by the framework of the five stages of grief, with their 2023 self-titled album representing denial, their 2024 EP White Trash representing anger, and A Party In Your Name representing bargaining. The band delves deep into addiction, depression, growth, and healing on eight of their most visceral and cathartic songs to date, with affecting lyrics and inventive arrangements that blend together elements of emo, punk, shoegaze, drum and bass, pop, classical, and alt-rock.

A Party In Your Name is available digitally everywhere now. Hillsboro will be playing record release shows in Vancouver and Victoria in June, playing Bottle Rocket Fest in Vancouver in July, and heading across the pond to play Left of the Dial in Rotterdam in the fall.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist Nima Walker and violinist Dexter Hodgins to talk about the record, road testing the songs, the importance of live shows and making music with your best friends, building community, berets, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em, Nima, and Dexter (who definitely isn’t A.I.) took place over Zoom on May 21, 2026. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking 'Same Fangs' with Spencer Krug

Whether he is playing in bands like Wolf Parade and Swan Lake, or making solo music Spencer Krug puts his all into everything he does. This is especially true on his recently released solo album Same Fangs, which finds him re-recording and reimagining demos that were originally posted to Patreon. Over the course of 12 songs - 2 of which, “Cassandra” and “Heart of Diamond”, are bonus tracks - Spencer joins forces with longtime collaborator Jordan Koop, along with new collaborators Elbow Kiss and Maria Grigoryeva, to create some of his most reflective and heartfelt songs to date that explore family life, songwriting, friendships, and aging. Same Fangs is available now via his label Pronounced Kroog, and you can pick up a copy here or here. Spencer Krug is currently touring Western Canada with Elbow Kiss and will be touring Eastern Canada and the US in September.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with Spencer to talk about the new album, what goes into reimagining the songs, maintaining balance, parenthood, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em, Spencer, and part of the forest on Vancouver Island took place on May 8, 2026 over Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone talks 40 years of 'In Your Face'

>This year, legendary ska/funk/punk/metal band Fishbone hit the road to celebrate their 1986 debut album In Your Face. Leading up to their Denver performance, Billy Garrett spoke with Fishbone’s frontman, Angelo Moore by phone while the band was on the side of the road in Wyoming while their bus was broken down en route to that night’s gig. Avoiding the wind cutting through the line, Moore took the conversation indoors at the truck stop-a fitting setting for our conversation about endurance. Forty years in, Fishbone are still pushing forward—through lineup changes, industry shifts, and a world that, in many ways, has only caught up to the chaos they were warning about decades ago.

Their 2025 record, Stockholm Syndrome, is their first LP since 2011—but according to Moore, it’s less a comeback than a continuation.

That sense of unfinished business is a present theme in the new album. Rather than reinventing Fishbone’s voice, the record sharpens it—pulling from ideas that stretch back years. From “In Your Face” to now, Fishbone’s songwriting has always been confrontational—but it’s apparent that Moore doesn’t see it as a stylistic choice so much as a responsibility.

Alongside the tour is the release of 2-disc remastered reissue of “In Your Face” on vinyl and CD, featuring “Cover Your Face,” a second disc of tracks covered by various artists. The compilation features artists such as Silversun Pickups, Wheatus and opening act for the In Your Face 40th Anniversary Tour, Bite Me Bambi.

Read the interview below!

Douglas Robinson of Held. talks the band's debut album

Held. is the new trio with Douglas and Sal from The Sleeping and Josh from Coheed and Cambria/ The band mergers metal with post-punk and some avant-garde experimentation. They just released their debut album, GREY and it's out via MNRK Heavy. To that end, Punknews' John Gentile spoke with Doug about the new LP. You can check out the interview below.

Photo: Nick Karp

In conversation with Natasha Gray and Becky Fontaine of The Iron Roses

Last week, The Iron Roses announced that they will be releasing their sophomore album Molotov Nights. The ten tracks that make up the album are some of the most powerful songs that the Eastern US-based punk rock quartet has written so far, demanding to be played loud and sung along with at the top of your lungs. Molotov Nights will be out digitally and physically on August 6. The album is being self-released by the band and physical copies in Europe are being released in partnership with Coretex Records. You can pre-order the album on the band's website, from Coretex Records, or on Bandcamp.

The Iron Roses are currently touring Canada with The Anti-Queens and MakeWar and will be playing Pouzza Fest in Montreal this weekend. The band will also be touring the US with Subhumans in June, playing Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings Festival in Dallas in September, and touring Europe in October.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with co-vocalists Natasha Gray and Becky Fontaine to talk about Molotov Nights, reconnecting with feelings and community, playing Pouzza Fest, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em, Becky, Nat, and their shared braincell took place on May 8, 2026 over Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

On the rovd with Mvll Crimes

In 2025, the mighty London, Ontario-based Mvll Crimes returned after a year-long hiatus with a new song, “GWEN STVCEY”, and a handful of tour dates. Now, the band are back in full force, bringing their infectious post-hardcore sound to stages across Canada and reminding everyone not to be a cop. Mvll Crimes are currently touring Eastern Canada with Dead Bob and will be playing Pouzza Fest in Montreal this weekend. “GWEN STVCEY” is available digitally and a new Mvll Crimes record is in the works.

Punknews editor Em caught up with lead vocalist Jill during their tour of Eastern Canada to talk about returning to the stage following their hiatus, working new songs into the set, playing Pouzza Fest, starting beefs, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em and Jill took place on May 11, 2026 over Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Matt of Earmarked talks the band's debut EP 'Grinding Teeth'

Vancouver-based punk rockers Earmarked are getting ready to release their debut EP Grinding Teeth. The EP features four tracks chock full of midwest emo-infused melodic punk rock which is sure to be a hit with any and all fans of orgcore. Grinding Teeth will be out everywhere except for Spotify on May 12 via sad times productions. Earmarked will be playing their EP release show on May 29 at Green Auto in Vancouver with Jet//Lag, Sundiver, and Weak Knees.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with vocalist and bassist Matt Earle to talk about the EP, the formation of the band, the power of MuchMusic, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em and Matt, with guest appearances by Matt’s dog Patty, took place in April 2026. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking 'Average Weekends' with Beached Out

Peterborough, Ontario-based Beached Out have been making indie rock flavoured with surf, punk, and pop since forming in 2011. The duo, made up of partners in life and music, Anne and Jeff Parker, released their debut album Average Weekends earlier this year, which, along with referencing a Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet track, showcases the band’s talent for creating catchy songs that blend nostalgic lyrics with a fresh sound. While a duo on the record, Beached Out has since expanded to a trio with the addition of Megan Kendrick. Average Weekends is available digitally and physically now via Noyes Records. Beached Out will be playing Sadleir House in Peterborough on June 12 with By Divine Right and Casper Skulls.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with drummer and vocalist Anne, guitarist and vocalist Jeff, and bassist Megan during their recent tour of Atlantic Canada to talk about the album, putting their personal touches on the artwork, becoming a trio, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em, Jeff, Anne, and Megan took place on April 24, 2026 over Zoom. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Diving into 'Future Wave' with Lee Rose of Ace of Wands

As soon as the first note of “Black River” rings out, you are transported into the immersive world of Future Wave, the third album by Ace of Wands. The Toronto-based Dream Rock trio explores the non-linear nature of time, exorcises doppelgängers, and delves deep into a myriad of emotions with thirteen tracks that showcase their personal and creative power. Future Wave will be out everywhere on April 28 and you can pre-order it here. Ace of Wands will be touring Ontario and Quebec this spring and summer.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Lee Rose to talk about creating the visual world of Future Wave, songwriting, the necessity of connection, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Lee Rose took place over Zoom on April 16, 2026. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Talking 'Don't Blame The Peach' with Kate Mac of Twat Union

London, UK-based punk rockers Twat Union come out of the gate swinging on their sophomore EP Don’t Blame The Peach. Building on their gloriously chaotic and theatrical approach to punk rock that they introduced the world to on their 2025 debut EP Don’t Look It In The Eye, the band tackle topics including masturbation, period sex (“When you're eating a peach / You don’t blame the peach for the juice running down your hand”), pay inequality, and more over the course of five of the most energetic songs you’ll hear all year. During Twat Union’s live show, the songs are brought even more life with the incorporation of props like a glittery towel, a money gun, vibrators, and cranberry juice, bringing not only an added level of theatricality, but also pure fun.

Don’t Blame The Peach is available everywhere now via Alcopop! Records. Twat Union will be touring around the UK starting tomorrow.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with lead vocalist Kate Mac to talk about the EP, building their theatrical live show, incorporating sound effects into the songs, unions, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em Moore and Kate Mac took place over Zoom on March 27, 2026. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Staying hydrated with Pro Wrestling The Band

London, Ontario-based Pro Wrestling The Band are getting ready to release their excellent third EP Weanling. The EP features five of their tightest and strongest songs to date which find them expanding their power pop-infused punk rock sound. The band examines love, houselessness in their hometown, and the overarching human condition with striking lyrics that will have you singing along in no time at all. Weanling will be out on April 13 via Thick Freakness.

Punknews editor Em Moore caught up with drummer Nathan Stock, and guitarists and vocalists Danny Kidd and Craig Gignac to talk about the EP, keeping everything local, coffee, and so much more. Read the interview below!

This interview between Em, Danny, Nathan, and Craig took place over Zoom on March 19, 2025. What follows is a transcription of their conversation that has been lightly edited for length and clarity.